Mentally ill folks wary of asking for help

Monday

Jul 30, 2012 at 12:01 AMJul 30, 2012 at 7:10 AM

The number of military suicides, featured recently in Time magazine, reveals an alarming problem extending far beyond the military community. Mental-health diseases such as depression, anxiety and addiction present one of the greatest challenges of our generation.

The number of military suicides, featured recently in Time magazine, reveals an alarming problem extending far beyond the military community. Mental-health diseases such as depression, anxiety and addiction present one of the greatest challenges of our generation.

Our nation's heroes, and many other Americans, need more than just additional resources in the battle against these diseases; they need a more understanding society. I have battled depression, anxiety and addiction for the better part of four years. It was a battle I nearly lost many times.

The nature of the disease makes it difficult to ask for help, or even admit you are struggling. The fear of being viewed as crazy and unstable started to make me think I was, but I just needed help. There are a lot of people who need help just as I did.

Our society needs to become more understanding of people battling mental-health diseases; we need to build a culture of empathy. Too many times, people who need help never seek it because they are afraid they will be victimized by social stigmas. Advances in treatment and medication are something that I hope will come with time; in the meantime, we as a society must rally behind people suffering from these diseases.

We must build a culture of empathy and understanding so people know they are not alone and know that things do get better.

Losing our nation's heroes and our loved ones to a disease due to a lack of empathy, understanding and resources is unacceptable.